Abstract
We have shown that Fasciola hepatica expresses at least six β-tubulins in the adult stage of its life cycle, designated F.hep-β-tub1-6 (Ryan et al., 2008). Here we show that different complements of tubulin isotypes are expressed in different tissues and at different life cycle stages; this information may inform the search for novel anthelmintics. The predominant (as judged by quantitative PCR) isotype transcribed at the adult stage was F.hep-β-tub1 and immunolocalisation studies revealed that this isotype occurred mainly in mature spermatozoa and vitelline follicles. Quantitative PCR indicated that changes occurred in the transcription levels of β-tubulin isotypes at certain life cycle stages and may be of importance in the efficacy of benzimidazole-based anthelmintic drugs, but there were no significant differences between the triclabendazole-susceptible Leon isolate and the triclabendazole-resistant Oberon isolate in the transcription levels of each of the isotypes. When three well-characterised isolates with differing susceptibilities to triclabendazole were compared, only one amino acid change resulting from a homozygous coding sequence difference (Gly269Ser) in isotype 4 was observed. However, this change was not predicted to alter the overall structure of the protein. In conclusion, these findings indicate that there is tissue-specific expression of tubulin isotypes in the liver fluke but the development of resistance to triclabendazole is not associated with changes in its presumed target molecule.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1133-1139 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | International Journal for Parasitology |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2013 |
Keywords
- Anthelmintic resistance
- Fasciola hepatica
- Microtubule
- Tubulin isotype